Dalton Marks Civil War History

Savannah Williamson

Updated: 4 years ago.

The city of Dalton dedicated a Civil War historical marker today. It honors Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, who urged southern states to emancipate slaves so that they could join the Confederate Army. (Photo courtesy of the Dalton CVB)

It honors Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, who urged southern states to emancipate slaves so that they could join the Confederate Army.

The plaque stands in front of a downtown home where Cleburne originally proposed freeing the slaves.

The house was also occupied by U.S. General William T. Sherman while he was in Dalton.

Dalton mayor David Pennington says Civil War memorials attract tourists who come for all reasons, including those marking the war’s 150th anniversary.

“We’ve had a real push for more tourism anyway and sports tournaments and things like that, and now with the sesquicentennial coming, and all of our Civil War sites, we really see that as a chance to really turbo charge our effort, if you will.”

The Georgia Historical Society designed the marker along with the Georgia Battlefields Association.